squatted down and reached out for Poppy's face. He almost pulled away when he felt the skin wet with tears. Gently he lifted the little face, waiting for her eyes to see him. He stopped breathing when he felt her stare, then gave out a sigh of relief when he did not see hatred in her eyes but only pain and fear. He folded her into his arms, put his lips to her neck, lifted her from the ground. He rocked her, humming, feeling her sobbing, her fist a stone against his heart.
'Carnie.' It was Fern's voice.
Carnelian turned with Poppy still wrapped in his embrace and looked round. Fern was tearful, looking at him, leaning close to Sil, their baby nesded between them. Carnelian saw the tears in Sil's eyes, everyone's eyes and almost let out a wail. He wanted to make it better, to take away their pain.
Fern released his daughter's tiny hand from her swaddling, peeled the pad from her palm and let it fall red to the ground.
'I can't wait until the Gatherer gives the Elders a picture of the tithe. Tell us how long we'll have her.'
Carnelian feared Sil's eyes, but felt that beyond Fern's need to know, he was trying to make things right between the three of them. Carnelian drew close enough to see. He adjusted Poppy and, gingerly, took the baby's bloody hand and peered at it.
The green patterns of the date tattoo were smeared red and swollen in the tiny palm but he could still read the number eight and the hated name of Osidian's brother, Molochite.
He looked up at Fern and Sil, waiting in dreadful suspense. 'Not counting this year, seven more.' They would have her for the longest possible time allowed a marked child.
When Fern thanked him, Sil held Carnelian's eyes, searching them. She must have found there what she sought, for she reached out and took his hand. 'We have all lost today.'
Relief brought more tears. He lifted her hand in his and kissed it.
Carnelian became aware of Poppy's stony fist wedged between them. A part of him did not want to read what was written there. He realized he had not seen Akaisha. He searched for her.
'She's with the other Elders talking to the child-gatherer,' said Sil.
'Does that always happen?'
Sil grew pale as she glanced at Fern and then looked back up the slope the way they had come. Carnelian realized with a jolt his friend was still in danger.
Poppy shifted against him and when Carnelian looked down it was directly into her eyes. He took his leave of Sil and Fern and carried Poppy to their hollow. He laid her down upon a blanket. They sat looking at each other while she clutched her left fist in her other hand. She released it and opened it for him. He stared at the cloth blushing blood. It was obvious what she wanted. He took her hand in his and carefully peeled off the cloth. He used it to wipe away the blood. He saw the two tattooed spots and his heart stopped.
She saw the colour leave his face and drew back terrified. 'This year?'
'No,' he cried, shaking his head.
The next then?'
It was unnecessary for him to nod; she saw her fate in his eyes.
Akaisha's face was gaunt when she appeared beside Carnelian's hollow. He disengaged from Poppy who had been sleeping in his arms and rose to face Akaisha.
'I don't know what to say, my mother, about your loss.'
She glanced at Poppy. 'All have suffered loss.'.
Carnelian was withered by shame. 'Come with me,' she said.
He followed her. When they reached the deepest shade of the mother tree, she fixed wild eyes on him. 'Where is the Master?'
'On the plain.'
'But where?'
He half shook his head. 'Perhaps returned to the earther we were bringing here when we saw the signal.'
She frowned, looking at the ground, her eyes moving in thought, her hand gently stroking the bark. She looked up.
The Master was right. The Gatherers are looking for you.'
Carnelian swallowed hard. They asked about us specifically?'
The Gatherer claimed to be seeking two white marumaga renegades. He told us that any tribe handing them over or giving information resulting in their successful live capture will have their tithe rescinded for a full eight years.'
Carnelian could see the desire for such a prize was a passion in her which she was having difficulty suppressing. It promised the salvation of her granddaughter.
They're trying to trick you,' he said.
Akaisha's eyes flamed. 'Do you believe, Master, that we are fools?'
His contrition calmed her. The Tribe's survival depends on you not being found. We're sure we didn't give anything away. Our terror is of the Master out there…' She glanced away towards the plain. 'If he should be seen by another tribe…'
'I could go out and try to bring him in.'
She looked back narrow-eyed. 'So Crowrane was right. The Master fled knowing what might happen to him here.'
Carnelian felt almost relieved that it had come at last. 'We are to die, then.'
Her eyebrows raised. 'I won't deny there are many now who wish it and I can no longer protect you. Not now.' She frowned and examined his face. 'Was I wrong to take you in?'
The pain of doubt in her eyes forced Carnelian to speak. 'I deluded myself with the hope the Master would settle here. I lied to you, Akaisha, to protect him. He is not my brother.'
She gave a snort. 'You only tell me what I knew already. No mother could produce two such different sons.'
Considering Fern and Ravan, Carnelian found that a strange statement.
'You are lovers?'
Carnelian was embarrassed by her directness. 'We have grown apart.'
She nodded as if she had known that too. 'Go on with what you were saying.'
'I believe he may never settle here. He's unable to let go of his old life. Dark passions move him.'
To what end?'
Carnelian frowned. Tm not sure, but before the Gatherer came, I was already fearing that his growing influence among the young men might harm the Tribe.'
Akaisha looked deep into his eyes. 'You tell me this even though you love him?'
'I love the Tribe too.'
She examined him for some moments, then smiled. 'Everything you say, Carnie, I already knew in my heart, but you renew my faith that you are indeed my sister's son.'
She grew grim. 'We still have to deal with the danger the Master poses to us.'
'I could go out,' Carnelian offered again.
Akaisha shook her head. The other Elders would not allow it.'
Carnelian bowed his head, questioning his desire to tell her everything. He raised his eyes to mesh with hers. 'He threatens Ravan.'
The colour drained from her face. 'Is this why you abandoned Fern?'
Carnelian nodded. He saw her fighting temptation. 'No,' she said firmly. The decision must be left to the Assembly. We'll meet tomorrow night when Galewing, Crowrane and the others return from escorting the Gatherer.'
She looked at him. 'What will we do with you until then?'
'Might I be permitted to return to the Bloodwood Tree?'
She smiled wanly. 'My son's reprieve is the only joy that has come from this dreadful day. I know they'll come for him. At worst, next year when we had expected it, but who knows, perhaps we mightn't see a Gatherer for a full eight years. There's much living that can be done in such a span of time.'
Carnelian's heart grew heavy. It had been foolish to hope that any system administered by the Wise would
